The first UT African-American Film Festival will be held this month at The University of Toledo.
Screenings will take place Thursdays, Feb. 7, 14 and 21, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Center for Performing Arts.
The inaugural event is co-sponsored by the UT Black Student Union, the UT Department of Theatre and Film, and the UT Office of Multicultural Student Success.
Films showcased during February spotlight contemporary African-American stories as told by some of today’s best African-American filmmakers.
Kicking off Thursday, Feb. 7, the festival will open with the 2016 Academy Awarding-winning best picture “Moonlight,” directed by filmmaking phenom Barry Jenkins.
The following week, Thursday, Feb. 14, Jordan Peele’s contemporary horror masterpiece “Get Out” will provide entertainment on Valentine’s Day.
“Pariah,” a quiet yet beautifully crafted indie film directed by Dee Rees, will conclude the festival Thursday, Feb. 21.
“Moonlight” and “Pariah” will screen in the Center for Performing Arts Room 1039; “Get Out” will be shown in the Center for Performing Arts Center Theatre.
“I appreciate Holly Hey [UT professor and head of the Film Program] and the Theatre and Film Department for their support of black art,” Isis Walker, president of the UT Black Student Union, said. “There are a lot of aspiring black artists across all the colleges and departments on our campus, and I believe showcasing successful black artists will inspire these students to continue their craft. I want black artists on our campus to feel supported by both the Black Student Union and the Department of Theatre and Film. I hope we are able to continue this event.”
Doors will open at 7:20 p.m. for the free, public screenings.
For more information, contact Hey at holly.hey@utoledo.edu.